TUNIS CALL FOR ACTION

Accelerating Replication, Investment and Partnership for a Sustainable, Resilient and Pollution-Free Mediterranean

Adopted at the MedProgramme Annual Stocktaking Meeting (ASM) 25 June 2026

Recognising the Mediterranean Sea as a shared ecosystem of global importance, a source of livelihoods, prosperity, cultural heritage and well-being for present and future generations;

Recalling the commitments and objectives undertaken within the framework of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development, the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement, as well as other relevant regional and global environmental agreements;

Recognising the achievements of the Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme) in promoting integrated solutions for pollution reduction, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, water security, sustainable coastal development and environmental governance across the Mediterranean region;

Recognising the value of the MedProgramme as a pioneering multi-partner and multi-domain initiative, which has mobilised significant investments, strengthened regional cooperation, generated innovative tools and methodologies, and established a solid foundation for future action;

Thanking the Government of Tunisia for hosting the final Annual Stocktaking Meeting of the MedProgramme, as well as the beneficiary countries, executing partners, implementing agencies and UNEP/MAP for their collaboration and the effective implementation of an ambitious GEF-funded MedProgramme;

We, the participants in the MedProgramme Annual Stocktaking Meeting in Tunis, call on governments, regional institutions, international organisations, financial institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector and development partners to work together to advance the following priorities:

I. Strategic Direction

1. 1. Scale up the MedProgramme legacy by establishing and adequately resourcing a Mediterranean Replication and Upscaling Portfolio owned by the countries in order to consolidate and expand successful solutions, tools, policies and approaches at national level and across the region, while ensuring broad dissemination of results in forthcoming regional and global fora (inter alia UNFCCC COP 31 in Antalya, UNCCD COP17 in Ulan Bataar and CBD COP17 in Yerevan, and others).
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3. 2. Shape the next generation of Mediterranean initiatives at national and regional scale, building on the multidimensional and integrated outcomes of the MedProgramme and using its lessons and achievements to advance coherent action on pollution prevention, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, integrated water management and sustainable development.
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5. 3. Reaffirm the joint commitment of beneficiary countries to concrete actions that raise the visibility of Medprogramme outcomes and other commitments under the Barcelona Convention, to integrated programming and donor coordination mechanisms (established at national level).
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7. 4. Embed MedProgramme results within the UNEP-MAP/Barcelona Convention system and other Mediterranean governance and cooperation frameworks, to ensure clear ownership and enhanced regional impact through integration in national policies, strategies and plans.
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II. Implementation and Investment

5. 5. Transform nationally defined priorities into investment-ready actions, including regional activities, by developing robust project pipelines, financing strategies and bankable programmes capable of attracting public, private and blended finance.
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7. 6. Call upon UNEP-MAP and associated partners to promote the establishment of a Mediterranean Environmental Investment Platform, to mobilise financial institutions, development banks, donors, climate and biodiversity funds, philanthropic organisations and the private sector, and to advance innovative financing mechanisms and partnerships that accelerate replication and scaling across the Mediterranean.
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9. 7. Invite partners to further strengthen policy coherence and integrated implementation by advancing Source-to-Sea approaches, the Water, Energy, Food, Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus, Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM), Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), climate change adaptation and mitigation, through the Regional Climate Change Adaptation Framework, sustainable blue economy initiatives and nature-based solutions across sectors and governance levels.
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III. Partnerships, Knowledge and Inclusion

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9. 8. Further strengthen regional partnerships, building on the spirit of cooperation fostered by the MedProgramme, by deepening collaboration among governments, with Global and Regional Conventions, regional organisations, financial institutions, civil society, academia, the private sector, youth and local communities to accelerate collective action across the region.
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11. 9. Harness and recognise the existing national knowledge and expertise that has been strengthened through the MedProgramme; further scale up exchange, innovation and capacity development to build on this nationally rooted capacity, supporting and enhancing the work of national authorities while ensuring gender equality, meaningful youth engagement and inclusive participation in regional cooperation and implementation processes.
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13. 10. Promote environmental education, awareness raising and communication as essential tools to translate MedProgramme achievements into clear accessible and actionable messages for the wider public; foster stronger understanding of Mediterranean environmental challenges, encourage behavioral change, and reinforce national and local ownership of the objectives of the Barcelona Convention.
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15. 11. Work together towards a resilient, pollution-free and sustainable Mediterranean, by translating successful pilot initiatives into transformative regional action that delivers lasting environmental, social and economic benefits.